How Ubuntism Reignites Democracy in South Africa: Exploring Inclusive Governance as a means of Combating Authoritarianism in Africa

This thesis focuses on the potential of integrating the principles of Ubuntism into Good Governance techniques in order to re-legitimise democracy in South Africa. With the plea for unity and national reconciliation prompted by Nelson Mandela, the country now faces several challenges in preserving its democratic institutions amid rising authoritarianism in the region. This thesis utilises a normative comparative analysis of the UN Good Governance framework, and argues for the integration of the values inherent in Ubuntism, to propose a governance model that is more representative, inclusive, and effective. Further, through the use of value theory this thesis examines case studies exhibited by the UN Good Governance framework, in order to argue that values such as survival, compassion, and respect can combat corruption and state capture, ultimately enhancing the legitimacy of South Africa's present day democracy. This thesis acknowledges the limitations of its argument most notably:...Show moreThis thesis focuses on the potential of integrating the principles of Ubuntism into Good Governance techniques in order to re-legitimise democracy in South Africa. With the plea for unity and national reconciliation prompted by Nelson Mandela, the country now faces several challenges in preserving its democratic institutions amid rising authoritarianism in the region. This thesis utilises a normative comparative analysis of the UN Good Governance framework, and argues for the integration of the values inherent in Ubuntism, to propose a governance model that is more representative, inclusive, and effective. Further, through the use of value theory this thesis examines case studies exhibited by the UN Good Governance framework, in order to argue that values such as survival, compassion, and respect can combat corruption and state capture, ultimately enhancing the legitimacy of South Africa's present day democracy. This thesis acknowledges the limitations of its argument most notably: the narrow scope of strategies analysed and the absence of empirical research. However, it further calls for a more in- depth and extensive exploration of Ubuntism’s impact on governance. With the upcoming 2024 national elections in South Africa, this research highlights how imperative it is for structural changes in governance in order to prevent the erosion of its democratic principles. The integration of Ubuntism into governance ultimately offers a promising approach to addressing governance failures and fostering a more interconnected and accountable government within the country that inherently contributes to the broader fight against authoritarianism in Africa.Show less

Leiden University Student Repository

Documents

In Collections

How Ubuntism Reignites Democracy in South Africa: Exploring Inclusive Governance as a means of Combating Authoritarianism in Africa